Ireland vs Latvia

Ireland take on Latvia in their first fixture of this international window in an international friendly.

It's starts off from a loose ball that is played forward. Some brilliant build-up play from Will Smallbone and Matt Doherty whips it across . Some sloppy play in the middle of the park led to unnecessary pressure. Ireland 0-0 Latvia Ireland 1-0 Latvia Ogebene is there and slots in the rebound Ireland 2-2 Latvia Ireland 2-0 Latvia Ireland 2-1 Latvia A real handful. Ireland 3-2 Latvia IRELAND SUBS:

The Republic of Ireland welcome Latvia to the Aviva Stadium for tonight's friendly, with Evan Ferguson set to make his first senior start.

He brilliantly drifts through three men, Paddy McCourt style, and lashes in a goalbound effort that's bravely blocked by a flying Latvian defender. "It's just gone so quick, there's no time to sit back and think of what I'm doing," he says when asked about his rise this season. We made life difficult for ourselves." but we took a lot from it. "It wasn't a perfect performance... - 22:08

Good evening and welcome to the Independent.ie live blog of the Republic of Ireland against Latvia at the AVIVA Stadium. My name is Dylan O'Connell and I ...

Republic of Ireland face their first test of the 2023 campaign when they welcome Latvia to the Av...

- Callum Robinson has scored five goals in his last seven friendly appearances for the Republic of Ireland, including a hat-trick against Qatar in October 2021. "Hopefully it will be the same for this camp, and not only for this camp but for him, personally, for the rest of the season and for the rest of his career, as I am sure he is going to have a good one." - Republic of Ireland’s Evan Ferguson has appeared twice as a substitute for Eire, against Norway and Malta in November. I haven’t seen all of the games, but from the highlights and the goals he is scoring, he is scoring some good goals with great composure for someone who is only 18. "At 18 years of age now, he's showing he is ready to come into the team and he will make his first start tomorrow in the game." He's had a great start to his Premier League career and is scoring some goals in the Premier League, the FA Cup and League Cup.

Daniel McDonnell of the Irish Independent has reported that the most likely front three for the friendly game is Will Smallbone in behind Evan Ferguson and ...

The only other confirmation that Kenny has confirmed is that Matt Doherty will start the game, and be the captain on the day. This front three has of course never started a game together, as this will be the first start for the senior side for both Smallbone and Ferguson. [Daniel McDonnell](https://twitter.com/McDonnellDan?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) of the Irish Independent has reported that the most likely front three for the friendly game is Will Smallbone in behind Evan Ferguson and Michael Obafemi.

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has confirmed that Brighton striker Evan Ferguson will make his start for the Boys in Green against Latvia while .

Speaking on the talented 18-year-old, Kenny said: "His career is in its infancy. He's had a great start to his Premier League career and is scoring some goals in the Premier League, the FA Cup and League Cup. "He's showing he is ready to come into the team and he will make his first start tomorrow in the game."

In-form teenage striker Evan Ferguson scores his first international goal as the Republic of Ireland beat Latvia 3-2 in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium.

Mikey Johnston (Republic of Ireland) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. - Away13 - Home4 - Fouls - Away1 - Home10 - Corners - Shots - 14Molumby - 4O'Shea - 12Collins - 16Kelleher

Ireland take on Latvia in their first match of the year. Ireland are using the friendly as a warm-up for a huge Euro 2024 qualifier against France.

He was also outmuscled at times by Latvia in the middle of the park. He was on the edge of the game against Latvia but showed some decent flashes of play. At a time when Irish players are few and far between in the Premier League, Ferguson has been a revelation over the past few months. Ogbene was busy after that, but his final ball into the box wasn't always accurate. His pace on the break means he will be a contender to start against France. He didn't stop running though and helped set the tempo for Ireland. He looked rusty and was beaten twice in the first half. The wing-back was another player in need of game time. Ireland's two goals in the first half came from Doherty's crosses into the penalty area and he linked well with debutant Smallbone. Molumby did well carrying the ball forward for Ireland's second goal. Collins was yet another Irish player who needed game time ahead of the France match. Ireland are using the friendly at the Aviva Stadium as a warm-up game for a huge [Euro 2024](https://www.sportsjoe.ie/sports/uefa-euro-2024) qualifier against France.

Ireland warmed-up for Monday's Euro 2024 qualification opener against France with a hard-earned 3-2 victory over the Latvians on Wednesday.

Ogbene and Johnston gave a glimpse of what they offer Stephen Kenny if called upon in the immediate future. Despite a lack of game-time, Doherty used the ball intelligently. An Irish starting XI with an average age of 23 included individuals auditioning to face the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antoine Griezmann.

Republic of Ireland warm up for Monday's showdown with France by prevailing by a 3-2 scoreline against Latvia in an international friendly.

[Callum O'Dowda](/people/callum-odowda/) and [Evan Ferguson](/people/evan-ferguson/) put the home side into an early lead before they were surprisingly pegged back by two long-range efforts from the visitors. [Arturs Zjuzins](/people/arturs-zjuzins/)'s deflected strike from the edge of the area flew past Caoimhen Kelleher and into the roof of the net. [Chiedozie Ogbene](/people/chiedozie-ogbene/) scored what proved to be the winner to provide [Stephen Kenny](/people/stephen-kenny/)'s side with a morale-boosting win.